Affordable housing for low-income families in the Fredericton, New Brunswick area - Government of Canada helps to prevent and reduce homelessness in Canada

FREDERICTON, Oct. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Five families at risk of becoming homeless, including one Syrian refugee family, will soon have an affordable place to call home. Matt DeCourcey Member of Parliament for Fredericton, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Jean‑Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Five federally owned properties in Chipman, Tracy and Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, that are no longer in use will be provided for a nominal fee of $1 to Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc. The buildings were originally used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as employee housing and are in good condition.

The properties will be transferred through the Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative, which makes surplus federal real properties available to communities for projects that provide stable living arrangements for homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Quotes

"It gives me great pleasure to know that I live in a country that genuinely cares for less fortunate Canadians. By partnering with Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area and all their volunteers, we can help provide affordable housing for low-income families who might otherwise become homeless."– Matt DeCourcey, Member of Parliament for Fredericton

"The face of homelessness is changing and through our surplus property program, we can provide communities with the support they need to develop local solutions to homelessness."– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada has committed nearly $600 million in total funding over five years, until March 2019, in the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is one of the HPS funding streams.

To date, 146 properties have been transferred under Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative.

Since the launch of the HPS, nearly 35,000 Canadians who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless have benefited from education and training opportunities; more than 6,000 new shelter beds have been created; and over 82,000 people have been placed in more stable housing.

The Homelessness Partnering Strategy is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to 61 designated communities in all provinces and territories, as well as to Aboriginal, rural and remote communities across Canada.

Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative

The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative is one of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding streams. It makes surplus federal real properties available to communities for projects that help stabilize the living arrangements of homeless individuals and families and those at risk of becoming homeless. Since its inception, the Initiative has proven to be an effective way of supporting communities in their effort to prevent and reduce homelessness, while ensuring that surplus federal real properties continue to further the objectives of the federal government even after they have outlived their original purpose.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: Mathieu Filion, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca